Interpersonal communication in pharmaceutical care Flashcards
What defines the nature of interpersonal communication (IP) in pharmaceutical care (PC)?
Patient-centered, two-way dialogue.
Focused on medication understanding, adherence, and therapeutic outcomes.
Involves empathy, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving.
Dynamic and relationship-driven to build trust and safety.
What are key characteristics of effective IP in PC?
Clarity, empathy, and cultural sensitivity.
Tailored to patient needs (e.g., health literacy, preferences).
Includes verbal and nonverbal communication.
Goal-oriented for optimizing drug therapy.
How does IP directly impact PC outcomes?
Improves medication adherence and reduces errors.
Enhances patient satisfaction and trust.
Facilitates early detection of adverse effects.
Supports shared decision-making.
To what extent is IP implemented in PC practice?
Variable: Recognized as vital but gaps exist.
Limited by time, workload, and lack of training.
Better in structured settings (e.g., hospitals) vs. community pharmacies.
Patient factors (e.g., literacy, engagement) also affect frequency.
What are common barriers to effective IP in PC?
Pharmacist: Time constraints, inadequate training.
Organizational: High workload, lack of private space.
Systemic: Policies not prioritizing/reimbursing counseling.
Patient: Low health literacy, cultural barriers.
How do pharmacist-related factors influence IP in PC?
Skills/confidence: Training in communication improves outcomes.
Attitudes: Willingness to engage affects interaction depth.
Knowledge: Therapeutic expertise builds patient trust.
What patient-related factors impact IP quality?
Health literacy level.
Cultural/linguistic background.
Willingness to disclose concerns.
Complexity of health conditions.
How do organizational factors affect IP in PC?
Time per patient (e.g., rushed vs. unhurried).
Workload and staffing ratios.
Physical environment (privacy for discussions).
Institutional support for communication training.
What systemic factors influence IP for PC?
Healthcare policies prioritizing pharmacist-patient interaction.
Reimbursement models for counseling services.
Regulatory frameworks (e.g., mandatory medication reviews).
Public awareness of pharmacist roles.
Why is understanding IP’s nature, extent, and factors critical for pharmacists?
Enables strategies to overcome barriers (e.g., training, workflow changes).
Improves drug therapy optimization and patient safety.
Strengthens therapeutic alliances, leading to better health outcomes.
What does it mean that communication is inevitable?
“You cannot not communicate”—every action, even silence, conveys a message.
What role does body language play in interpersonal communication?
It conveys emotions and attitudes through gestures, facial expressions, and posture.
Nonverbal cues can reinforce or contradict verbal messages.
Different factors like emotions, culture, and tone affect meaning.
What makes communication complex?
It involves multiple messages, interpretations, and potential misunderstandings.
How is communication contextual?
The same words can mean different things in different contexts.
Meaning depends on the situation, relationship, and environment in which communication occurs.
Why is feedback crucial in communication?
It confirms message accuracy and enhances mutual understanding
Reduces errors and ensures effective interaction.
What are two major categories of barriers?
personal and environmental
What is deep listening?
A type of listening where you fully commit to understanding the speaker’s perspective.
What are the types of communication noise?
Psychological – Mental distractions (e.g., stress).
Internal – Competing thoughts.
Social – Lack of prior relationship.
Historical – Previous negative experiences.
Cultural – Different communication norms.
Semantic – Misunderstanding of words (e.g., medical jargon)
Example: A rushed pharmacist may unintentionally miscommunicate with a patient.
What is full listening?
A listening style that involves giving careful and undivided attention to the speaker.
Example: A student focusing on a professor’s lecture without distractions.
What is therapeutic listening?
A form of listening that focuses on providing emotional support and understanding.
Example: A nurse listening to a patient express their fears about surgery.
